Spring Training this year did not exactly start as planned for Los Angeles Dodgers veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. He reported to camp battling inflammation in his right elbow, an injury he equated to tennis elbow.
It prevented Gonzalez from swinging a bat the first couple weeks of camp and put his availability for Team Mexico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic in jeopardy. Gonzalez managed to make a full recovery, even appearing in two Cactus League games prior to departing Camelback Ranch.
Mexico’s run in the WBC was short-lived — they were eliminated in the first round — and Gonzalez rejoined the Dodgers. The elbow was said to no longer be a problem.
However, Gonzalez aggravated the injury during Sunday’s exhibition game against Team Japan, and is expected to rest for the next couple of days, according to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Adrian Gonzalez will rest for three days after tweaking his elbow on a check swing on Sunday. Gonzalez felt soreness that lingered throughout Monday. He dealt with inflammation in the joint earlier in the spring. Gonzalez suggested he would return to the lineup on Thursday
The Dodgers have an off-day Wednesday, which is their last until the conclusion of their 2017 exhibition schedule on Saturday, April 1. Los Angeles begins the 2017 regular season at home against the San Diego Padres on April 3.
Gonzalez is just 3-for-22 this spring between Cactus League play and the WBC. In the past he has downplayed the importance of the number of and results of his at-bats during Spring Training.
